Improvement in screw-driver



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Letters Patent No. 96,263, dated October 26, 1869.-

IMPROVEMENT IN SCREW-DRVER.

The Schedule referred vtojin these` Letters Patent and making part nf the same.

To all whom 'it may concern Be '1t known that I, J. 0.',PINNER, of Newborn, in the county of Dyer, and State of Tennessee, have invented a new -and improved Screw-Driver; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the'construction and operation of the same, reference being had to theaccompanyingA drawings making part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a side view.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section.

The object of this invention is to provide for public use a simple and convenient tool, with which a screw can be more readily and easilyinserted 'orremoved than with the other screw-drivers heretofore brought into use.

To this end, my improved screw-driver is mede with two spring jaws, which, by means of a sliding ring or strap, can be brought together so as to grasp and hold the screw-head, and answer for the purpose of inserting or removing the screw, so long as the latter works without much friction or resistance. At the same time, if the screw movies with diiiiculty, and is disposed to slip in the jaws, a blade like that o f an ordinary screw-driver can be used, either in combination with or independent of said jaws.

1n the drawings- A is the handle, and B is the shaft or stem of au ordinary screw-driver, terminating in a sharp blade, O.

This blade has two lateral shoulders, c c, at its npper. end; and just above them the rod or stem B is provided with a squarefgaim'b, on each side.

A stout metallic ferrule, A', is attached to the handie, provided with radial ribs a a. v

D is a stout bl ck. preferably of-octahedral shape, having a central bore, and sliding loosely ou the stem B.

lts upper end is provided with radial grooves, or notches 1L (l, which fit over the ribs a a, when the block is slid down against the'ferrule, and preventthe block from turning independently of the handle and stem, so long as the rib is thus kept in the groove.

To the vopposite end of the block two stout curved spring jaws, E E, are irmly fastened, saidjaws extending toward the blade G, and curving slightly out-A ward, and then sharply inward, terminating in square faces e e, opposite and parallel to each other, as shown in g. 2, and having notches c v cut in them, adapted to receive the edges of screw-heads:

A ring, strap, or link, Soblong in shape, embraces both jaws, just above the end' of the block D, and

slides up and down thereon, it being so narrow that it cannot drop down over the block D, and so short that it cannotescape over the outward bend of the -jaws E E.

The spring of the jaws is outward, and the function ofthe sliding clasp or strap is to force them together, so that they will take against the sides of the bit or stem in the gain b, and hold it firmly, or, when they are slid -outward far enough, to bring them together against the head of the screw, causing its edges tc sink into the depressions c c.

The ol'ieration' of this improved instrument is easy, simple, and convenient. rlhe block and jaws can be slid up out of the way, so as to let the blade 0 operate as an ordinary screw-driver; j

At the same time, if great force is to be exerted in order to turn the screw, `the jaws can be brought together against the stem, at the gains b b, and fastened in that position, when they will operate as braces, imparting to it greatadditional strength.' A

1f the screw is to be used in wood, or "elsewhere where it will work easily, the jaws maybe run out beyond the end of the blade C, then brought together and clamped against the head of the screw, as above described, whereby they will hold it securely until it is inserted so far as to maintain its position, or until removed altogether from the wood or other material.

If the screw has a tendency to turn when held lby the jaws alone, the'blade G may be thrust down against it,and made to enter the notch in the head of the screw, and thereby hold it steady. The blade cannot turn under such circumstances, for the reason that the jaws on either side will prevent it. y

I wish it to be understood that I do not claim any of the parts herein described separately considered; but

Having thus described my invention, 1

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isp rllhe instrument above-described, consisting of the handle A, ferrnle A,'having rib a; block D, having notch d; stem B, having gains b b blade C, having shoulders c c; spring jawsE E, shaped as described, and -having grooves t c, and .sliding clasp or strap S, A

all constructed substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinset forth. Y

J. O. PINNER.

Witnesses:

J. B. MCCUTCHAN,

H. L. WINBURN. 

